\u201cWicked: For Good\u201d and its leading ladies may be coming to the end of the (yellow brick) road. <\/p>\n
The sequel to Jon M. Chu\u2019s thrillifying movie musical was completely shut out of the 2026 Oscar race after its predecessor collected a staggering 10 nominations last year, including best picture. <\/p>\n
This year, \u201cWicked: For Good\u201d stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were snubbed in the lead and supporting actress categories, respectively. <\/p>\n
The nominees for actress were Jessie Buckley (\u201cHamnet\u201d), Rose Byrne (\u201cIf I Had Legs I\u2019d Kick You\u201d), Kate Hudson (\u201cSong Sung Blue\u201d), Renate Reinsve (\u201cSentimental Value\u201d) and Emma Stone (\u201cBugonia\u201d). Supporting actress contenders were Elle Fanning (\u201cSentimental Value\u201d), Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (\u201cSentimental Value\u201d), Amy Madigan (\u201cWeapons\u201d), Wunmi Mosaku (\u201cSinners\u201d) and Teyana Taylor (\u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d). <\/p>\n
\u201cWicked: For Good\u2019s\u201d Oscars misfortune follows a rocky critical reception, which came despite the film enjoying a 30% larger domestic opening than \u201cWicked\u201d (2024). Upon the movie\u2019s release, Times film critic Amy Nicholson was one of its few enthusiasts<\/a>. <\/p>\n The film was nominated for several Golden Globes, including a historic repeat nomination<\/a> for Erivo, but ultimately went home empty-handed. (\u201cSinners\u201d wound up nabbing the box office achievement award, which \u201cWicked\u201d won last year.) <\/p>\n The Actor Awards ignored Erivo<\/a> altogether, also skipping \u201cWicked: For Good\u201d for the cast award that its forerunner was nominated for last year. <\/p>\n For all its awards misfires, \u201cWicked: For Good\u201d was still a resounding success for Universal Pictures, which stands to gain heavily from the \u201cWicked\u201d films\u2019 combined worldwide gross of almost $1.3 billion. <\/p>\n The franchise \u201chas really emerged as a much-needed, fresh tentpole for Universal,\u201d David O\u2019Connor, president of franchise management and brand strategy at Universal Pictures, previously told The Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s such a waterfall of value that this two-part franchise creates that Universal will be banking out on this for years to come,\u201d O\u2019Connor said. <\/p>\n \u201cWicked\u201d and \u201cWicked: For Good\u201d also spurred on possibly the most enthusiastic theater-going wave since \u201cBarbenheimer,\u201d<\/a> with some viewers showing up in full costume<\/a>. <\/p>\n Universal Pictures has even suggested it is keeping an open mind about follow-up projects, though nothing has been confirmed yet. <\/p>\n \u201cBecause of \u2018Wicked\u2019s\u2019 success but also the fanship, we have almost a responsibility to figure out how we can continue in this universe,\u201d Michael Moses, the studio\u2019s chief marketing officer, recently told Vulture<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cHave we figured it out yet? No. But there are things underway,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n \u201cWicked\u201d composer Stephen Schwartz also told the Ankler<\/a> that he and Winnie Holzman, who wrote the \u201cWicked\u201d musical book and co-wrote its film adaptations, are mulling over a new project \u2014 \u201cnot a sequel, but an adjunct\u201d \u2014 tied to that universe. <\/p>\n \u201cI think the Glinda and Elphaba story feels complete \u2014 but there are other aspects that could be explored,\u201d Schwartz said.<\/p>\n If \u201cWicked\u2019s\u201d success is any indication, additions to this magical universe are sure to be \u201cPopular.\u201d<\/a> <\/p>\n